It’s sad, but true: Game of Thrones is wrapping up its near decade-long run. On May 19th, the finale episode will air on HBO, and we’ll all be in the know on who wins the Iron Throne. If you’re planning on hosting a GoT-themed finale party, check out the below recipes to get inspired as you say goodbye to your favorite characters in true Westeros style.
The Game of Thrones party food ideas we’ve collected are all inspired by foods characters eat in both the HBO show and the book series by George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire, from which the show was born.
While serving guests, it might be fun to quiz them on where the inspiration for a certain dish came from, or from which season or book the food is from. May the biggest Thrones fan win (and hopefully not abuse their power as some rulers are wont to do).
Put together a shopping list and send your squire Podrick to the shops to buy the necessary ingredients. Then, distract yourself from the reality that is the fact that GoT is coming to an end by cooking your little heart out. And if anyone asks, no, the extra-salty flavor did not come from tears. It’s just regular salt. We just like salt, okay?
1. Garlicky Ribs
When Ned, Arya, and Sansa first arrive to King’s Landing in Martin’s first book within the series, A Game of Thrones, the Starks are treated to racks and racks of garlicky ribs.
Ribs are the perfect snack food to munch on while your eyes are glued to the TV. Check out this honey garlic ribs recipe from Every Last Bite. There’s no doubt the late King Robert would enjoy this spread.
2. Lemon Cakes
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCLXPYG3BTQ"]YouTube’s nerdiest chef Rosanna Pansino recreated Sansa Stark’s favorite treat — the super rare and fanciful lemon cakes.
Not only did Sansa love lemon cakes when she was a girl, but they also united her with the Tyrell women during that troublesome scene where she reveals Joffrey’s true nature to Margaery. Hopefully, your lemon cakes will make your guests remember the happier times of Sansa’s life back in the early episodes of Season 1… lol.
3. Oysters on the Half Shell
In Season 5, Arya disguises herself as a shellfish merchant in Braavos while staking out her first assassination target.
She famously sells oysters, cockles, and clams in the Braavos marketplace. We recommend serving fresh oysters on the half shell — with a bit of lemon and hot sauce — to pay homage to Arya’s time as a shellfish merchant. Or, if you’re uncomfortable with shucking your own oysters or eating them raw, you can serve Clams Casino — clams stuffed with breadcrumbs, bacon, and perhaps a bit of cheese.
4. Milk of the Poppy
In Westeros, maesters would administer milk of the poppy to the injured or sick.
It’s basically a form of morphine. You can mix up your own milk of the poppy-themed beverage to serve to your friends that, you know, doesn’t contain opium. Milk punch is a historic recipe from the early 18th century that combines milk with rum and citrus. Absolut has a version that mixes orange rum, cognac, milk, cream, vanilla syrup, and nutmeg. It’s delicious and, unlike milk of the poppy, won’t knock your guests into unconsciousness — that is, if they drink it responsibly.
5. Daenerys’s Artichoke Hearts
Daenerys downed a horse heart in order to be initiated into the Dothraki community in Season 1, and that’s when we knew girl meant business.
Because it would be utterly absurd and disgusting to bring that kind of gore to your finale party, replace the horse heart with artichoke hearts. This recipe for crispy artichoke hearts with horseradish sauce from Health Starts in the Kitchen is the perfect themed treat that your guests will seriously appreciate.
6. Samwell’s Blueberry Tart
As Jon Stark comes t0 find out, Samwell Tarly is not interested in swords, armor, and defending the kingdom against Wildlings and White Walkers.
He would be much more inclined to study, write, and snack on blueberry pie, as Martin writes in his book series. Feast of Starlight concocted a blueberry tart that Sam would absolutely fawn over. This can be served as an after-dinner treat, or cut up into bite-sized portions to feed a crowd.
7. “Pigeon Pie” Bites
At the wedding of Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell, we see a gorgeous pigeon pie (filled with actual pigeons, mind you) that’s presented to the king and queen at their reception.
To emulate the traditional wedding dish of Westeros, serve chicken pot pie bites to your show finale party guests. This recipe from Chowhound is super delicious and will be a hit among the crowd.
8. Honeyed Chicken with Brown Gravy
If you’re planning on doing dinner before the show, you might consider preparing the first meal ever eaten in the show and book series, A Song of Ice and Fire.
When Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, visits the Starks at Winterfell, the two families share a meal of honey-roasted chicken, roasted onions, brown gravy, and lots of wine. It’s a simple, yet hearty, meal to share with your friends as well. Check out this great recipe for honey-roasted chicken from Oh, Sweet Basil.
9. “Bread and Salt”
Before the horrific events that became known as “The Red Wedding,” the Freys and Starks shared bread and salt, a sacred “guest right” tradition that protects both the host and the guest from harm.
It’s the most honored and most basic rule that civilized men of Westeros follow, which was why Walder Frey’s attack on the Starks was all the more gut-wrenching. You can invoke guest right with your friends by serving them crunchy crostini baked in olive oil and salt. You can then offer several toppings like a goat cheese spread to go along with it.
10. Joff’s “Favorite” Wine
Is this mean? Is it?
Like… Joffrey definitely had it coming, right? Pull together a ~not poisoned~ special wine (ahem…sangria) for your friends by soaking citrus fruits and berries in either red or white wine. Then, add a splash of brandy and some of your favorite citrusy juice. Keep it chilled in the fridge and serve when your pals are feeling a bit parched.
11. Arya’s Fruit and Cheese Tart
Feast of Starlight also pulled together Arya’s fruit and cheese tart — the one she stole from Ser Armory in Martin’s A Clash of Kings.
Made with tart cranberries, apples, almonds, walnuts, and cream cheese, these bite-sized tarts are going to be gone faster than a flick of Arya’s Needle. They’re both sweet and savory, and Fest of Starlight recommends serving them dusted with powdered sugar on top.
12. Sausage
You’re going to hate this suggestion because everyone hates Ramsay Bolton.
Remember when he was torturing Theon Greyjoy at the Deadfort and he, well, you know…castrated him? And if you remember that, you’ll remember that Bolton then went on to taunt Greyjoy by eating a pork sausage in front of him. Rather than being awful and totally creepy with this GoT-inspired party food, we suggest serving sliced sausage for crackers, or even mini kielbasas.
13. Fire-Breathing Dragon Cocktail
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMLlwKpP8yQ"]Okay, so this video looks like it came from a 1996 VHS tape — but the content is good.
This hefty alcoholic beverage combines Campari, tequila, and 151 rum. Yeah, like we said, it’s a hefty drink. But hey, if you want to breathe dragon’s breath, then you gotta do what you gotta do.
14. Milk Tea
The Inn at the Crossroads conjured up this Mongolian-inspired milk tea recipe based on the milk beverages the Dothraki drank in the book series.
It’s rich and savory, and is the perfect accessory to a night bundled up on the couch watching GoT (while weeping).
15. Pumpkin Soup
Alongside those ribs Ned, Arya, and Sansa ate during their trip to King’s Landing, they were also served a thick and creamy pumpkin soup.
Although this soup from Feast of Starlight is probably best served in the fall months, your guests definitely wont turn down a cup to sip on during the final episode. It will remind you of better days… when all the Starks were together and… alive. Sob.
16. Tart Persimmon Wine
This one takes work, but it’s definitely worth it.
Daenerys sipped persimmon wine while in Pentos in Martin’s A Storm of Swords. The Inn at the Crossroads shares how exactly to brew your own persimmon wine. The beverage takes a couple months to ferment, so you might want to brew it now and save for the final episode. It’s a real treat and you’ll be proud of yourself when you get to taste your creation.
Enjoy the finale of Game of Thrones. Hold your friends close and brace for unexpected deaths, loads of dragons’ breath, and hopefully, more blossoming love between Jon Snow and Dany.
